Please note

So, Ms SDCrafts, what have you for us today?

I have cards...

Permit me first to apologise for the following images. Sometimes being unwell affects every area of life, including, it seems, my photography.

Nevertheless, this is a set of cards for men in which I experimented with ink backgrounds.

Seasoned crafters (that's not the same as 'old') will recognise these stamped images that have crossed over from wooden blocks to clear stamps. They are still listed at Art Stamps at Personal Impressions and have helped me out many-a-time.

Despite the poor images, I hope you can see how much love and fun went into these cards. I am now convinced there's no cardmaking like inky, painty or sticky art!

This is possibly my most-used male-themed stamp. I have it as both large wooden block and much smaller clear stamp (used here). However, I am mindful that not all men drink and that, for some, bad memories lie at the bottom of a glass. So I make sure I know my target well.

I have crochet...

My followers on Instagram (private account - just ask) know that I have a new yarn lover. I can't tell you what joy there is in achieving a long-held ambition to crochet. I am chronicling my journey as #2015yearofcrochet so please join in.

Following on from the collar here, and the Kindle cover there, I'm now an official granny. Not in the familial/birthright sense, just the going around in hooky squares way.

Flushed with the success of this post-operative recuperation project, I am now setting myself up for the next bout of boredom-busting yarn hooking.

For Christmas, son #2 gave me this book. It is gorgeous and includes many how-to, tips, facts and designs from contemporary crochet designers, such as Tracey Todhunter at Granny Cool.

There's a magic cupboard in my craft room (according to Mr SDC) where an ever-increasing yarn stash is growing. Every ball, even the liddle-iddy-bits, is destined for a planned project.

Like many online crafters, I am enjoying crochet in the same way I loved knitting before the superhighway connected us all. Before we took photos of everything we made. Before we could go to yarn stores online.

Remember when you 'laid balls of yarn by' at your local shop? I'd be up and down there as the child benefit came in, fuelling an addiction that clothed my sons and kept me sane.

To your right, see the planning stage for the cushion covers that will be made using the book.

All these yarns came from Loveknitting.com, an outlet I can recommend with no payback. However, for you there are great discounts to be found. Plus, your yarn will be placed in these scrummy chiffon bags. Little touches that mean alot...

I'll tell you about my selections and the patterns used once the project is well underway - it all comes together neatly, in the end.

I slightly adapted the finish of the item by folding a section over and then I secured it with a row of stitching using the same wool (like top stitching in sewing). By adding a hidden press stud (popper) with a decorative button - as suggested by Alison in her pattern - the wrap becomes a complete garment.

Other Crochet Plans

I am about to have surgery twice, about six weeks apart. So crochet will be my recovery pastime of choice. I've amassed a credible amount of gorgeous yarn to make new cushion covers for the lounge. We have a rather green room - seating and curtains AND rugs) so injecting some bright shades will make a difference. That they will be handmade covers will make even more impact - as long as they don't look shabby. My main challenge - apart from hooking, following a pattern and getting to the end - will be sewing in the ends without creating unnecessary bulk - any tips?

I'm not too fazed by the stitches as such, but holding my hook in the right-hand while controlling the yarn tension with my left...that IS indeed a challenge, not helped by Multiple Sclerosis. I have found my own way of doing things and, so far, so good.

My First Proper Project

My Kindle Paperwhite
has needed a cover since my husband upgraded it for my Christmas present (he now has my "old" one so we are both digitally connected at bedtime).

Using a luxury wool has given this the tactile appeal I didn't want to lose by covering my Kindle. I know I take the cover off when using it, but it is also nice to have a touchy-feely relationship when it is off-duty.